E 



LEWIS M. COLEMAN, ’82 
JUNE 17, 191S 


THE COLLEGE MAN 
AND THE STATE 


ADDRESS BEFORE THE 
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF 
VIRGINU 
























THE COLLEGE MAN AND THE STATE 


LEWIS M. COLEMAN, ’82 


Ladies and Gentlemen, and you boosters of 1908 
who seem to be rejuvenating the quiescent alumni: 

You will probably think this is my first public appear¬ 
ance at University Finals. ’Tis not so. Many years ago, 
the Washington Literary Society was revived and be¬ 
came a worthy competitor of “The Jeff” in the making of 
orators, debaters, statesmen and literari. I was one of 
those who revived this noble organization. We had the 
usual preliminary contest and selected two twigs of the 
law, now real lawyers of great repute, as medalists—the 
one the best debater, the other the most fluent and inter¬ 
esting orator. Both were fraternity men of mine; good, 
honest, clean countrymen, by no means addicted to so¬ 
ciety or frivolity. The President of a literary society is 
generally a rather popular “spieler,” by no means an 
orator; more of an executive officer. 

Such, ladies and gentlemen, was I, on this gala occa¬ 
sion. I had arrayed myself in a partnership dress coat, 
once a frock coat or “Jim Swinger” of a backwoods Ar¬ 
kansas lawyer, which had been presented by him to his 
brother, then at the University. Fie and I raised enough 
money to have it cut into a dress coat and wore it turn 
about. 

When I arrived at the entrance of the old public hall, 
which you will remember as a kind of ^‘tender” to the 
rotunda, I found the procession ready to move, the ushers 
flying yards of ribbon and the band tuning up. The Final 
orator was resplendent in a full suit of bright yellow 






with just enough green to make it bilious and my stom¬ 
ach uneasy. I was not much of a dude myself, but I 
thought this suit was entirely out of place. I was anx¬ 
ious for my fraternity men to make a good appearance 
and the “Wash’^ to pull off a creditable show. I asked 
him what he meant by wearing such a suit of clothes and 
he was insulted. I then asked him why he didn^t borrow 
a dress suit, and he said: ‘‘I am not like you boys; I 
don’t wear other people’s clothes.” He was a Texan. 
I said; “You can’t make that fine speech in that yellow 
suit,” and he replied: “I will have to make it in this,” 
and I said: “No, I will swap with you,” and seeing that 
I was determined, he accompanied me down under the 
stairway, and we swapped suits. The band played: “See 
the Conquering Hero Comes,” and I entered the hall at 
the head of the procession. In a moment there was a 
perfect uproar, and the boys and girls who were acquain¬ 
ted with my limited wardrobe seemed startled at my new 
suit. I kept my nerve and when I arose to introduce the 
speakers, I had more applause than I have ever received 
on any other occasion. Some one seated near me, said: 
“You have a great many friends.” I answered: “Appear¬ 
ances are deceptive; it’s this suit of clothes. 

A review of my life and all my endeavors to be gener¬ 
ous, fails to convince me that I have ever done anything 
for which the recording angel should give me greater 
credit than for this lightning change -of attire, and I 
shall certainly inquire of St. Peter whether this has been 
duly recorded, and if it has not been, I shall, in the words 
of the law “suggest a diminution of the record” and take 
an appeal. 

Happy are we today as we come and kneel at the feet 
of our Alma Mater; that mother who knows no favor¬ 
ites, who by no honorary title expresses a special affec¬ 
tion or favor for any of her sons, and who bestows honors 
upon no child whom she has not herself nurtured and 


[ 2 ] 


trained. Our mother opens her affectionate arms and 
impresses her sweetest kisses upon all her sons, whether 
they occupy the highest seats in this nation; whether 
they can lay in her lap the wreaths of fame or only the 
dainty flower of duty well done for humanity. She re¬ 
ceives them all alike. She expects their love and admi¬ 
ration. She believes they are as worthy, as true, as 
noble as any sons of earth. She has a tender and en¬ 
couraging word for those who may seem to others to 
have failed, and drawing them to her bosom, she bids 
them take heart and go forth strengthened and deter¬ 
mined to do their full part, as men, for the betterment 
of humanity. Such is our mother. Why should not 
more of her sons come each year to do her reverence? 

Coming back after thirty-one years of a varied and 
happy life, I can bring her and you many messages from 
hundreds and hundreds of useful and distinguished al¬ 
umni. Indeed, it seems difficult to abandon reminiscence 
and get down to my subject. 

Euphonious titles are attractive and I had thought to 
talk with you a few minutes of '‘The Student and the 
State,” but I know that some college men are not stu¬ 
dents and many great students are not college men. 
Hence my subject might have been justly criticised by 
dear “Old Noak K.,” our beloved logician, as suffering 
from “an undistributed middle” as do our figures when we 
reach the half century mark. 

So, “The College Man and the State” seems more log¬ 
ical and appropriate. 

“Wherein consider,” as dear “Old John B.” would say: 

1st. His Training. 

2nd. His duty. 

Lastly. His reward. 

Don’t be uneasy, I shall not carry this analysis to the 
jvT _j_ 1. Kot even “Old Ven” could bear with me that far. 


[ 3 ] 


What I shall say may smack of “The Lawn” and “The 
Rotunda” but I have found a wonderful sympathy and a 
due appreciation of each other among our college men; 
whether their ideals were nourished at Virginia or at 
Harvard, at Yale or at Michigan, at Princeton or at Tu- 
lane. They are all striving to the same end—the making 
of good citizens. 

Jefferson in his wisdom planned the University as the 
capstone of the public school system. To this end all col¬ 
lege men must lend their aid and experience in strength¬ 
ening and upbuilding primary and high schools, that 
the college may have suitable material upon which to 
work. Great frauds are committed when a preparatory 
school sends a boy to this or any other university with a 
certificate, which, like many a certificate of watered stock, 
is a lie on its face. 

A fraud is perpetrated on the public or the parents 
whose money has been spent for this supposed prepara¬ 
tion; a grievous injury has been done the student who 
finds himself unable to keep up with his class and often 
becomes discouraged. The valuable time of the professor 
is spent without return. The parents are mortified and 
chagrined. The fact is that no university should accept 
a certificate from any school. The best certificate the 
applicant can bring is the requisite knowdedge to stand a 
reasonably searching entrance examination. 

Four years of study, of college associations and activ¬ 
ity; of intercourse with, and admiration of, trained men, 
consecrated to the upbuilding of character, the inculca¬ 
tion of a desire for knowledge, is an elevating, broadening 
and inspiring experience that can seldom be enjoyed by 
those who are confined in early life to the narrow walls 
of the counting house and factory, to the farm and rail¬ 
road. 


The child must be fed on the most nutritious food to 
develop its body; the youth must absorb ideals and fun¬ 
damental truths, if he would develop mental and moral 
strength. 

Turn your mind to Monticello and imagine our patron 
saint looking through his field glass towards his child, 
as building after building arises. He lowers his glass 
and sits in silent thought. Is he dreaming of his life in 
Paris and his distinguished administrations? Is he merely 
philosophizing? No; this great seer has a glimpse of 
the future. He sees the offspring of his favorite child 
well equipped, strong, ready for the life that awaits every 
man who seeks to do his duty in this strenuous and pro¬ 
gressive century. 

Subject to the test of the class room and the student 
body, there is no chance for the imposter—the veneered 
man. If he have the yellow streak, it will be discovered. 

Why should every citizen, even the mechanic and la¬ 
borer, be taxed to support the state university? Why 
should fortunate philantrophists pour their golden liba¬ 
tions upon the altar of Minerva to endow colleges and pro¬ 
mote learning, if the recipients owe no special duty to 
serve the state and in some measure repay the debt? 

But few could formerly command such advantages as 
are now offered the many by state appropriation and pri¬ 
vate largess in the colleges of the nation. Where are men 
better taught respect for themselves and greater con- 
ideration for their fellows than in the university? Where 
is the value of truth more impressed than where the 
motto is: 

“Know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” 

This reminds me: On one occasion when our alumni 
were giving a reception in my home city to our honored 
President Edwin A. Alderman—and it is our fervent 
prayer that soon he may be returned strong and stalwart 


for the completion of the many plans he has in mind for 
the upbuilding of this institution—I quoted the above 
motto. After the meeting, a life-long, rock-ribbed dem¬ 
ocrat said: “Oh, Jefferson was a grand man, a great 
thinker. Those were great and inspiring words of his.’^ I 
replied: “Yes he was a great man, but the man who 
spoke those words was a greater than he, a democrat 
whose love embraces all time and all peoples.’’ 

Jefferson has, however, spoken to us and we must not 
fail him: 

“This institution of my native State, the hobby 
of my old age, will be based on the illimitable 
freedom of the human mind, to explore and to 
expose every subject susceptible of its contem¬ 
plation. 

“For here we are not afraid to follow truth 
wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error 
so long as reason is left free to combat it.” 

Where can the true principles of democracy and respect 
for the inalienable rights of man be better learned than 
where young men soon learn every tub must stand on its 
own bottom; that it is what a man is and not whence he 
came that counts? Where every man is taught to be 
self respecting and to give full faith and credit to his 
neighbor, withholding no mede of praise when it is due. 

Where can man better learn justice to God, his neigh¬ 
bor and himself? Where is he better armed against 
“avarice, envy, pride; three fatal sparks” that oft set 
hearts afire? No man goes forth from a university with¬ 
out that “bitter seasoning” that has made him thorough 
and ready, as dear old Col. Peters would say, to go, “not 
over, nor under, but thoo” any undertaking. 

It is probably unfortunately true that only in after 
years do we realize the true worth of the men who dedi¬ 
cate their talents and themselves to guiding and leading 
us through college. There is great honor, but small pay 


[ 6 ] 


for these workers. “Honor will not buy a breakfast’' as 
a brilliant Virginia politician once said. So one of our 
first duties is to see that our teachers and professors are 
suitably remunerated. 

No man has so good a running start in life. No man 
is better trained for citizenship than the college man; he 
is not hysterical and is therefore, a sane and safe servant 
and adviser. Thus the college man has power, but we 
know, if he have not the will and the courage, his less 
fortunate but more earnest brother will outstrip him, and 
we can but advise: 

* * * “Hinder not his way 

By destiny appointed; so ’tis will’d 
Where will and power are one. * ♦ * 

I believe it is usual for the college man to enter life 
with a full cargo of conceit; but soon he must lighten his 
craft, or perish. All the world seems to be from Mis¬ 
souri, is my experience. 

A few months of silent, undisturbed meditation in an 
empty office convinced me, if conviction were needed, 
that, 

>i« si: * * “Now needs thy best of man 

For not on downy plumes, nor under shade 
Of canopy reposing fame is won.” 

What are our duties? 

To make two blades of grass to grow where but one 
grew before, to better our personal fortunes and those of 
our neighbors by developing the wonderful resources of 
our country, are duties common to all citizens. The col¬ 
lege man specially equipped by scientific and technical 
training should be a leader in our development. In the 
all American free-for-all race for wealth, college men are 
not scratched, many win and more get a place. Many 


[ 7 ] 



are better equipped to succeed in the fields of economics, 
sociology and politics. They can do good work in pro¬ 
moting general education, in broad charities, in social 
and economic reforms. 

To lend one’s talents in perfecting town, county and 
state systems of education often means much more for 
the community than the holding of public office. Our 
previous training and ideals best suit us for this work. 
Why shall we not give some practical service to the 
State in this broad field of usefulness? Our public school 
system is not efficient. A factory managed, as the schools 
are, would never pay dividends. Do our schools, and 
may I be rash enough to say, our colleges, pay us in 
trained men and women, what we should expect of them? 
The efficiency man will be around soon, but he must be 
more than a “knocker.” He must be a demonstrator. 

Sociologists and humanitarians are agreed that poverty 
is a crime; not alone attributable to the individual suf¬ 
ferer, oftener to conditions, surroundings and policies for 
which we college men are most responsible, if not ac¬ 
tively, then passively. For example, is the widow who 
must work to put meat and bread in the mouths of six 
children, responsible for these children growing up to be 
paupers and criminals? 

Hardly, the state should aid her under a broad and 
liberal system to rear six good citizens. If the laborer 
is underpaid, and we do not recognize him as worthy of 
his fair share of the increment, and he becomes a socialist 
and a menace to our peace and prosperity, is he alone 
responsible, or are we college men equally to blame, in 
that with our training we cannot devise a fair system to 
divide profits with him? 

It takes moral courage to enter these fields, but should 
not the college man above all others, be morally courage¬ 
ous — should he not be intellectually as well as finan¬ 
cially honest? 


[ 8 ] 


Would that I were gifted with words apt to speak by 
thoughts. It is not so hard to keep our hands out of 
other people’s pockets—the fear of punishment may help 
deter the weaker of us, but it is hard to be intellectually 
honest and not to deceive ourselves and our neighbors, 
either in the expression of an opinion or the withholding 
of one. 

This sounds like idealism and altruism. To these are 
we indebted for the real progress humanity has made. 

Could you define altruism when you left college? I 
don’t know that I had ever heard the word. It has only 
come into general use within the past few years, though 
it has been exemplified by the great men in our colleges. 
The development of our duty to our neighbor under the 
peculiar circumstances of this generation, has given life 
to this word. 

Just to refresh your memory; altruism is defined as 
“a regard for, and devotion to, the interests of others — 
opposed to egoism and selfishness.” Do you for a mo¬ 
ment believe that Woodrow Wilson could have been 
governor of New Jersey and worked the reforms he did, 
had he not been an altruist? Could he have v/on such 
loyal support at Baltimore had he been an egoist? Can 
we hope for the continued success of his administration, 
if he abandons altruism? 

Could our distinguished alumnus, chairman of the 
“Ways and Means Committee” have gained the confi¬ 
dence of the nation, had he not been an altruist? He 
must be girt about with altruism, or his brilliant and 
energetic opponents will find a weak spot in his armor. 
He is the personification of the axiom that legislation for 
special interests is dishonest, whether it be sugar in 
Louisiana or steel in Pennsylvania. 

I remember hearing that at the second battle of Man¬ 
assas, General Stuart was detailed to prevent a large 
Federal force from getting into action. His command 


[ 9 ] 


was entirely inadequate for the work. He therefore or¬ 
dered his troopers to cut brush and drag along the roads 
to raise great clouds of dust, trusting thereby to deceive 
the Federals into believing that the dust was raised by 
heavy Confederate reinforcements. The disgusted horse¬ 
men dragged brush for hours and the ruse was success¬ 
ful. 

Now in many affairs of public moment, there is much 
dragging of brush, and much dust raised. College men 
should not be deceived by dust, but should see things 
clearly and render aid to the state. 
j Surely the college man has no sectional and provincial 
prejudices. He is broad and sympathetic. We must 
, give of ourselves to the state. We cannot hire substitutes. 

Philanthropic capitalists are devoting much of their 
wealth to investigations and researches designed to bet¬ 
ter the physical, social and moral condition of mankind. 
The average college man can make but a small financial 
contribution, but he can make valuable and priceless con¬ 
tribution of his knowledge, his experience and his energy. 

Some years ago I was one of a body of men that 
brought about a reform in the criminal cost system in 
our state, that saved several hundred thousands of dol¬ 
lars annually. Our energy was successful where our 
pocket books would have been impotent. 

Things are moving pretty rapidly nowadays. No less 
so in social, economic and political affairs than in science 
and mechanics. Dante pictures Grifolino in the tenth gulf 
of hell burned as a necromancer, because he promised 
to teach the bishop’s son to fly, and could not keep his 
promise. The victim thus declaims: 

“To die by fire; but that for which I died 
Leads me not here. True is, in sport, I told him 
That I had learned to wing my flight in air; 

And he, admiring much, as he was void 
Of wisdom will’d me to declare to him 
The secret of mine art.” 


[ 10 ] 


Today he is truly a rusticus from the Ragged Moun¬ 
tains who has not craned at the bird-man. 

Many of you remember the righteous indignation of 
our beloved Gamaliel when he hurled anathemas 

at the Virginia legislators and other profane 
meddlers with his idol, the common law. What think 
you, would have been his attitude toward woman’s suf¬ 
frage? 

I do not advise more college men to go into politics 
as a business. The tenure is uncertain and competition 
would be too great, even if fourth class postoffices are 
removed from the civil service list. We have no com¬ 
plaint of the treatment of college men by our state and 
national administrations, but I am here to urge all col¬ 
lege men, as I urge all self-respecting citizens to give of 
their time and attention to affairs political, city, state 
and national. 

It is difficult to define what is or what should be a 
political question. It would seem to me that any ques¬ 
tion of general interest, whose determination demands 
legislative action, might rightfully be called political, 
though not always be a plank in party platforms. 

Still the most important and attractive planks, inserted 
into such platforms, seem often moral, economic and 
social questions rather than political. Any question of 
pressing need affecting the welfare and happiness of the 
citizen is a political question. 

I remember sitting up till past midnight laboring with 
a Committee on Resolutions to keep the liquor question 
out of the state platform; believing it to be a purely 
moral question, and not one to be bandied by any political 
faction, but to no avail. Our opponents had taken ex¬ 
treme position, and we seemed forced into taking some 
position. Of course not an extreme one. In fact such 
a question is not properly a party one. In one state 
prohibition is championed by one political party, in an 


[ 11 ] 


adjoining state by the opposing national party. As a 
matter of fact, we know, don't we, many a good democrat 
whose mouth waters at the mere mention of the fragrant 
julep, and many a republican who warms up as he tosses 
the frothy ball. 

The words “politics” and “politician” seem to startle 
many people. Their virtuous thoughts at once turn to 
the grafters and the bosses. The word politician is of 
no ignoble origin. Primarily, it meant one versed or 
experienced in the science of government, sometimes a 
statesman. Then the “stay at home,” the imaginary 
“good citizen,” came to regard men actively engaged in 
politics, and especially local politics, as a distinct and very 
undesirable class. Then, as some keen and perhaps un¬ 
principled man found politics a fertile field, the word pol¬ 
itician assumed a more or less disparaging sense. A 
“mere politician” is malodorous. The real, true politi¬ 
cian is what he has always been — a lover of country — a 
worker for the public weal, a broad-minded, sympathetic 
citizen, and when occasion demands, a statesman. 

The problem of today is to make local self-government, 
honest, efficient and vigorous. Should we not help in 
this? We also find that in state and national affairs, it is 
the “man back home” that our representatives want to 
please. If this man is ignorant, careless and negligent, 
the representative is free to follow his own devices. 

Respect for law. Our pioneers of the last century were 
often necessarily a law unto themselves, and it was no 
wonder that some disregard for the law may have arisen 
and survived longer than was right. The industrial and 
commercial pioneers of our own time, drunk with their 
wonderful ability and phenomenal success, were for many 
years even more disregardful of law than ever were their 
predecessors, the real pioneers of our country. 

The mass of our people stood by in admiring acquies¬ 
cence. Small wonder the great captains of industry, so 


[ 12 ] 


called, believed that might made right. There is now a 
new dispensation. The law must be obeyed, not from 
fear, but from respect. We college men should always 
be on the side of law; should see to its enforcement with¬ 
out fear or favor. 

Have I been dealing in mere platitudes? It is an easy 
descent. If so, remember the platitudes of today become 
the pratform of tomorrow. 

What reward shall we reap if we strive to realize these 
ideals? 

Surely many college men are already holding high 
offices with honor to themselves and their alma mater 
and benefit to their country. Our alumni seem to be 
coming into their own. I am sure they will make good 
and bring glory and honor to our beloved mother. The 
satirist cannot say of them: 

“Omnium consensu capax imperii, nisi imperasset,** or in 
the vernacular, their credentials were good, but they did 
not pan out. 

This grand old University must be known by her out¬ 
put. She has given us our talents. It does not please 
her if we neatly wrap them in a napkin. Only by faith¬ 
ful, altruistic service, can we meet our obligations to her. 
I come not to urge more college men to seek office. I 
come to show them their duty to the state, more often as 
private citizens, where their personal pecuniary interest 
is not ruling. 

Theodore Roosevelt once said that the moment a public 
servant, or any man interested in public affairs begins 
considering what effect his action will have on himself 
and his personal interests, that very moment his public 
usefulness ceases. 

Political success and popular applause seem sweet, but 
often turn to ashes. The calmer, higher consciousness of 
having done one’s duty to one’s neighbor, one’s country 


[ 13 ] 


and one’s self is lasting and satisfying to ourselves, and 
causes no envy or jealousy in anyone’s heart. 

Don’t think for a moment the college man is always 
to be a leader; often should he be the leaven that leaven- 
eth the whole lump. 

In bespeaking your service for the state I cannot say 
in what field you can be most useful. There may be a 
louder call for the promotion of reform and the making 
of research along many lines clearly not political. 

Virginia’s men have not been wanting in unselfish de¬ 
votion to duty and they have found their reward in the 
hearts of the people. Our memorial tablet fittingly honors 
those who died doing their duty in the sixties. No mil¬ 
lionaire has by contributions to medical research done 
a greater service to humanity than did our alumni, who, 
in the war against the dreadful scourge, yellow fever, 
unflinchingly, but not recklessly, sacrificed their health, 
and even life, that others might live, and greater terri¬ 
tory be developed. The philanthropist gives much. These 
gave more; some gave all. 

No statesman or soldier ever shed a brighter light on 
England’s fair crown than the college man James Bryce, 
successful ambassador, the herald of culture and peace 
and righteousness to us and all the world. All of us may 
do honor to ourselves, our families and our country by 
unselfish, altruistic devotion to the welfare of the state. 

These have been rambling remarks — more because 
there is so much to say on this broad subject. Take 
home with you something of my ideals, and more valua¬ 
ble, your own, that I may have aroused. When we come 
again, I am satisfied we may report progress for ourselves 
and the state. 


[ 14 ] 


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